Chip with measuring reliability and a method thereof

ABSTRACT

A chip with measuring reliability and a method thereof are provided. The present invention serially connects a resistor having a resistance equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the chip itself to the resistor R s  of the chip so as to compensate the resistance differences among chips. A noise to signal (N/S) ratio of the chip is decreased, and a measuring reliability of the chip is improved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to a biosensor, and more particularly to a biosensor having a chip with measuring reliability and a method for improving measuring reliability thereof.

[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0004] In recent years, various kinds of biosensors utilizing a specific catalytic action of enzymes have been developed to be used for clinical purposes. Most valuable use of such biosensors may be made in the area of e.g. diabetes treatment where it is vital for patients to keep their blood glucose concentration (“blood sugar level” below) within a normal range. For an inpatient, the blood sugar level can be kept normal under the supervision of the doctor. For an outpatient, self-control of the blood sugar level is an important factor for treatment in lack of doctor's direct supervision.

[0005] The self-control of the blood sugar level is achieved through a diet, exercise and medication. These treatments may often be simultaneously employed under the supervision of the doctor. It has been found that the self-control works more effectively when the patient himself is able to check whether or not his blood sugar level is within the normal range.

[0006] Recently, blood sugar determining instruments have been used for self-checking of blood sugar level. As shown in FIG. 1, a blood sugar determining instrument mainly includes a main detecting unit 10 and a chip 12 for blood sugar measurement. As shown in FIG. 2, the chip 12 includes a strip-like substrate 122 provided in its front portion with an electrode section 1221. The electrode section 1221 is covered by a reaction layer 124, a spacer 126 and a cover sheet 128. The electrode section 1221 is provided with an operational terminal 1222 and a counterpart terminal 1224 surrounding the operational terminal 1222. The operational terminal 1222 and the counterpart terminal 1224 are electrically connected to lead terminals 1226 and 1228, respectively, which are formed on a base end portion of the strip-like substrate 122. The reaction layer 124, which covers the electrode section 1221, contains potassium ferricyanide and an oxidase such as glucose oxidase.

[0007] The blood sugar determining instruments may be used in the following manner. A patient pricks his or her own skin with e.g. a lancet for oozing blood. Then, the oozed-out blood is caused to touch the tip of the chip 12 plugged into the main detecting unit 1. The blood is partially sucked into the reaction layer 124 by capillary action. The reaction layer 124 disposed above the electrode section 1221, is dissolved by the blood, which starts an enzyme reaction, as the following formula: ${D\text{-}{Glucose}} + {2{{Fe}({CN})}_{6}^{3 -}} + {H_{2}{O{\quad \quad}\overset{GOD}{}\quad {Gluconic}}\quad {acid}} + \quad {2H^{+}} + {2{{{Fe}({CN})}_{6}^{4 -}.{{{Fe}({CN})}_{6}^{4 -}\quad \underset{Voltage}{}\quad {{Fe}({CN})}_{6}^{3 -}}}} + e^{-}$

[0008] Potassium ferrocyanide is produced in an amount corresponding to the glucose concentration. After a certain period of time, a predetermined voltage V_(ref) is applied on the chip 12 to electrochemically oxidize potassium ferrocyanide to release electrons. A response current is generated and passes through the operational terminal 1222. The response current is proportional to the concentration of potassium ferrocyanide produced by the enzyme reaction or to the concentration of the glucose. Therefore, the blood sugar level can be known by measuring the response current.

[0009]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit of the blood sugar determining instrument of FIG. 1, in which the electrode section 1221 of the chip 12 can be regarded as a resistor R_(s). The voltage V_(ref) to be applied can be provided by a battery. The response current I generated by the chip 12 is converted to an output voltage V_(out) by a current/voltage converter 32 having an amplification resistance R_(f). The output voltage V_(out) is represented by the formula (I):

V _(out)=(1+R _(f) /R _(s))V _(ref)  (I),

[0010] a microprocessor 36 processes the output voltage V_(out) through the analog to digital converter 34, and accordingly calculates the glucose concentration of the blood sample. A reading of the glucose concentration is displayed on a display such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) 38.

[0011] However, the resistance difference among the substrates 122 (or the chips 12) is caused during the manufacturing process thereof. In general, the resistance of the resistor R_(s) of the substrate 122 is in the range of 2K to 4K. Referring to the formula (I), due to the resistance difference of the substrates 122, the output voltage V_(out) caused by each chip 12 in response to the same blood sample is different. As a result, different chips 12 monitor different glucose concentrations for the same blood sample. Therefore, the resistance difference of the resistor R_(s) of the substrate 122 reduces the measuring reliability of the chip 12.

[0012] Accordingly, it is an intention to provide means for improving measuring reliability of the chip, which can resolve the problem encountered by the conventional biosensor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0013] It is one objective of the present invention to provide a chip with measuring reliability, which serially connecting a resistor having a resistance equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the chip itself to the chip to compensate resistance difference among the chips. The measuring reliability of the chip thus can be improved.

[0014] It is another objective of the present invention to provide a chip with measuring reliability, which can increase measuring accuracy of a content of a specific component of a specimen.

[0015] It is a further objective of the present invention to provide a method for improving measuring reliability of a chip, which extends a longitudinal dimension of each of an operational electrode and a counterpart electrode of the chip or widens both of them in order to serially connect a resistor to the chip. The resistance difference among the chips thus can be reduced and the measuring reliability of the chip can be improved. The present method is simple and does not need additional manufacturing steps. The purpose of cost down can be obtained.

[0016] In order to achieve the above objectives of this invention, the present invention provides a chip with measuring reliability, which includes a substrate, a reaction layer, a spacer, and a cover. The substrate has a first section and a second section. An operational electrode and a counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other are formed on the first section, and a resistor is connected with the operational electrode in series. A first terminal and a second terminal are formed on the second section. The operational electrode and the counterpart electrode constitute a resistor R_(s), and the resistance of the resistor serially connected with the operational electrode is equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the resistor R_(s). The operational electrode and the counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to the first terminal and the second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connect to a main detecting unit of a biosensor. The main detecting unit is used for detecting a response current passing through the operational electrode. The response current is generated in response to a specific component of a specimen applied on the chip. The reaction layer is placed above the first section of the substrate for covering the operational electrode and the counterpart electrode. The reaction layer includes a redox mediator and an enzyme, the redox mediator and the specific component of the specimen applied on the chip proceeds an electrochemical reaction under catalysis of the enzyme. The spacer is placed above the reaction layer, the spacer has a passage formed in an end thereof corresponding to the reaction layer. A cover is placed above the spacer, the cover has an opening over the passage of the spacer in order for the specimen sucked into the reaction layer through the opening and the passage. The present invention serially connects a resistor having a resistance equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the chip itself to the chip to compensate resistance difference among the chips. The noise to signal (N/S) ratio of the chip can be reduced, thus improving the measuring reliability of the chip and the measuring accuracy of the concentration of the specific component.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] The objectives and features of the present invention as well as advantages thereof will become apparent from the following detailed description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0018]FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a conventional blood sugar determining instrument;

[0019]FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a chip of the conventional blood sugar determining instrument of FIG. 1;

[0020]FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a control circuit of the conventional blood sugar determining instrument of FIG. 1;

[0021]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of partly control circuit of a biosensor of the present invention;

[0022]FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a substrate of a chip according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0023]FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a substrate of a chip according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

[0024]FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a substrate of a chip according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0025] The most elements of a biosensor utilized in the present invention are substantially the same with those of the blood sugar determining instrument of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, mainly including a chip and a main detecting unit. The chip is plugged into the main detecting unit before using the biosensor. Then, a specimen is applied on the chip, and the main detecting unit detects a response current generated in response to a specific component of the specimen. The main detecting unit determines a concentration of the specific component based on the response current. The chip of the present invention includes a substrate, a reaction layer, a spacer and a cover. The substrate of the chip has a first section and a second section, an operational electrode and a counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other are formed on the first section. The response current generated in response to the specific component of the specimen passes through the operational electrode. Therefore, the operational electrode and the counterpart electrode can be considered as a resistor R_(s). In general, the resistance of the resistor R_(s) is in the range of 2K to 4K. There is resistance difference present among the chips. The present invention serially connects a resistor having a resistance equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the resistor R_(s) of the chip itself to the chip in order for compensating the resistance difference among the chips. For example, a resistor having a resistance of 4K is serially connected to the chip so that the resistance difference among the chips becomes in the range of 6K to 8K. As a consequence, the signal to noise (S/N) ratio of the chip becomes 1K/7K from 1K/3K. The measuring reliability of the chip is thus improved.

[0026] A first terminal and a second terminal are formed on the second section of the chip of the present invention. The operational electrode and the counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to the first terminal and the second terminal. The first terminal and the second terminal electrically connect to the main detecting unit in order for the main detecting unit detecting the response current passing through the operational electrode, which is generated in response to the specific component of the specimen. The reaction layer of the chip is placed above the first section of the substrate for covering the operational electrode and the counterpart electrode. The reaction layer includes a redox mediator and an enzyme. The redox mediator and the specific component of the specimen applied on the chip proceed an electrochemical reaction under catalysis of the enzyme. The specific component of the specimen to be detected depends on the type of the enzyme of the reaction layer. For example, when the reaction layer contains potassium ferricyanide as the redox mediator and glucose oxidase as the enzyme, the chip can be used to detect a glucose concentration of a blood sample. When the reaction layer contains potassium ferricyanide as the redox mediator and lactate oxidase as the enzyme, the chip can be used to detect a concentration of lactic acid of saliva.

[0027] The spacer is placed above the reaction layer, and a passage is formed on an end thereof corresponding to the reaction layer. The cover is placed above the spacer, and an opening is formed in the cover above the passage in order for the specimen sucked into the reaction layer through the opening and the passage. The reaction layer is dissolved by the specimen to start an enzyme-catalytic electrochemical reaction.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of partly control circuit of the biosensor of the present invention. The chip itself has a resistor R_(s) and a resistor R having a resistance equal to or a little more than a maximum resistance of the resistor R_(s) serially connects to the resistor R_(s) of the chip. The specimen applied on the chip is sucked into the reaction layer, and dissolving it. After a period of time, the enzyme-catalytic electrochemical reaction between the redox mediator and the specific component of the specimen completes, the reduced redox mediator becomes electron carriers, accumulating in the area of the first section of the substrate. Afterward, a voltage V_(ref), for example supplied by a battery, is applied on the operational electrode of the first section of the substrate in order that the reduced redox mediator releases electrons to cause a response current I passing through the operational electrode. The response current I is converted to an output voltage V_(out) by a current/voltage converter 40, having an amplification resistor R_(f). The main detecting unit determines a concentration of the specific component of the specimen in accordance with the output voltage V_(out). As shown in FIG. 4, the resistor R, serially connecting to the resistor R_(s) of the chip itself, has a resistance equal to or a little more than the maximum resistance of the resistor R_(s) of the chip so as to compensate the resistance difference among the chips. The signal to noise (S/N) ratio of the chip is reduced and the measuring reliability and accuracy of the chip are improved.

[0029] The chip with measuring reliability provided by the present invention will be described in detail in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to accompanying drawings.

[0030]FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of a strip-like substrate 50 of the chip of the present invention according to a first preferred embodiment. A first section 51 of the strip-like substrate 50 has a strip-like operational electrode 511 and a strip-like counterpart electrode 512 spaced-apart each other formed thereon. A resistor R is serially connected to the strip-like operational electrode 511. The second section 52 has a first terminal 521 and a second terminal 522 formed thereon. The strip-like operational electrode 511 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 512 respectively electrically connect to the first terminal 521 and the second terminal 522. The resistance of the resistor R is equal to or a little more than the maximum resistance of the resistor R_(s) constituted by the strip-like operational electrode 511 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 512. The strip-like operational electrode 511 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 512 preferably are formed of the same conductive material, such as palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), carbon (C), titanium (Ti) and copper (Cu). The strip-like operational electrode 511, the strip-like counterpart electrode 512, the first terminal 521 and the second terminal 522 can be formed on the substrate 50 by a screen printing technology.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view of a strip-like substrate 60 of the chip of the present invention according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first section 61 of the strip-like substrate 60 has a widened strip-like operational electrode 611 and a widened strip-like counterpart electrode 612 formed thereon. A second section 62 of the strip-like substrate 60 has a first terminal 621 and a second terminal 622 formed thereon. The widened strip-like operational electrode 611 and the widened strip-like counterpart electrode 612 respectively electrically connect to the first terminal 621 and the second terminal 622. In the second preferred embodiment, the present invention widens the strip-like operational electrode 611 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 612 to increase the resistance of the chip itself, which is equivalent to serially connecting a resistor R to the chip itself. The resistance difference among the chips is compensated by way of controlling the width of the strip-like operational electrode 611 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 612. The strip-like operational electrode 611 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 612 substantially have the same size, dimension, and conductive material, for example, palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), carbon (C), titanium (Ti) and copper (Cu). The strip-like operational electrode 611, the strip-like counterpart electrode 612, the first terminal 621 and the second terminal 622 can be formed on the substrate 60 by a screen printing technology.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a schematic perspective view of a strip-like substrate 70 of the chip of the present invention according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. A first section 71 of the strip-like substrate 70 has a bent strip-like operational electrode 711 and a bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712 formed thereon. A second section 72 of the strip-like substrate 70 has a first terminal 721 and a second terminal 722 formed thereon. The bent strip-like operational electrode 711 and the bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712 respectively electrically connect to the first terminal 721 and the second terminal 722. In the third preferred embodiment, the present invention extends a longitudinal dimension of the strip-like operational electrode 711 and the strip-like counterpart electrode 712 to increase the resistance of the chip itself, which is equivalent to serially connecting a resistor R to the chip. For example, under maintaining the original longitudinal dimension of the substrate 70, forming the bent strip-like operational electrode 711 and the bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712 to increase the resistance of the chip. The resistance difference among the chips can be compensated by way of controlling the longitudinal dimension of the bent strip-like operational electrode 711 and the bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712. The bent strip-like operational electrode 711 and the bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712 substantially have the same size, dimension, and conductive material, for example, palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), gold (Au), silver (Ag), carbon (C), titanium (Ti) and copper (Cu). The bent strip-like operational electrode 711, the bent strip-like counterpart electrode 712, the first terminal 721 and the second terminal 722 can be formed on the substrate 70 by a screen printing technology.

[0033] The present method for improving measuring reliability of the chip is simple and does not need additional manufacturing steps. The purpose of cost down can be attained.

[0034] The embodiments are only used to illustrate the present invention, not intended to limit the scope thereof. Many modifications of the embodiments can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A chip with measuring reliability, comprising: a substrate having a first section and a second section, an operational electrode and a counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other formed on said first section, a resistor connected with said operational electrode in series, and a first terminal and a second terminal formed on said second section; wherein said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode constitute a resistor R_(s), and the resistance of said resistor connected with said operational electrode in series is equal to a maximum resistance of said resistor R_(s), said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to said first terminal and said second terminal, and said first terminal and said second terminal electrically connect to a main detecting unit of a biosensor, said main detecting unit is used for detecting a response current passing through said operational electrode, said response current is generated in response to a specific component of a specimen applied on said chip; a reaction layer placed above said first section of said substrate for covering said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode, said reaction layer including a redox mediator and an enzyme, said redox mediator and said specific component of said specimen applied on said chip proceeding an electrochemical reaction under catalysis of said enzyme; a spacer placed above said reaction layer, said spacer having a passage formed in an end thereof corresponding to said reaction layer; and a cover placed above said spacer, said cover having an opening over said passage of said spacer in order for said specimen sucked into said reaction layer through said opening and said passage.
 2. The chip of claim 1, wherein said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode have the same conductive material.
 3. The chip of claim 1, wherein said specific component of said specimen to be detected depends on said enzyme of said reaction layer.
 4. The chip of claim 3, wherein said chip is used for detecting a glucose concentration of a blood sample.
 5. The chip of claim 3, wherein said chip is used for detecting a lactic acid concentration of saliva.
 6. A chip with measuring reliability, comprising: a substrate having a first section and a second section, a bent strip-like operational electrode and a bent strip-like counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other formed on said first section, and a first terminal and a second terminal formed on said second section; wherein said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to said first terminal and said second terminal, and said first terminal and said second terminal electrically connect to a main detecting unit of a biosensor, said main detecting unit is used for detecting a response current passing through said operational electrode, said response current is generated in response to a specific component of a specimen applied on said chip; a reaction layer placed above said first section of said substrate for covering said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode, said reaction layer including a redox mediator and an enzyme, said redox mediator and said specific component of said specimen applied on said chip proceeding an electrochemical reaction under catalysis of said enzyme; a spacer placed above said reaction layer, said spacer having a passage formed in an end thereof corresponding to said reaction layer; and a cover placed above said spacer, said cover having an opening over said passage of said spacer in order for said specimen sucked into said reaction layer through said opening and said passage.
 7. The chip of claim 6, wherein said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode have the same conductive material.
 8. The chip of claim 6, wherein said specific component of said specimen to be detected depends on said enzyme of said reaction layer.
 9. The chip of claim 8, wherein said chip is used for detecting a glucose concentration of a blood sample.
 10. The chip of claim 8, wherein said chip is used for detecting a lactic acid concentration of saliva.
 11. A chip substrate with measuring reliability, comprising: a substrate base having a first section and a second section, an operational electrode and a counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other formed on said first section, a resistor connected with said operational electrode in series, and a first terminal and a second terminal formed on said second section; wherein said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode constitute a resistor R_(s), the resistance of said resistor connected with said operational electrode in series is equal to a maximum resistance of said resistor R_(s), and said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to said first terminal and said second terminal.
 12. A chip substrate with measuring reliability, comprising: a substrate base having a first section and a second section, a bent strip-like operational electrode and a bent strip-like counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other formed on said first section, and a first terminal and a second terminal formed on said second section, said bent strip-like operational electrode and said bent strip-like counterpart electrode respectively electrically connect to said first terminal and said second terminal.
 13. A method for improving measuring reliability of a chip, comprising: providing a chip including a substrate having a first section and a second section, a strip-like operational electrode and a strip-like counterpart electrode spaced-apart each other formed on said first section, said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode constitute a resistor R_(s), a first terminal and a second terminal formed on said second section, said operational electrode and said counterpart electrode respectively electrically connecting to said first terminal and said second terminal, and said first terminal and said second terminal electrically connecting to a main detecting unit of a biosensor in order for detecting a response current passing through said strip-like operational electrode, said response current generated in response to a specific component of a specimen applied on said chip; and serially connecting a resistor to said resistor R_(s) constituted by said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode, said resistor having a resistance equal to a maximum resistance of said resistor R_(s).
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein extending a longitudinal dimension of each of said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode so as to serially connect said resistor to said resistor R_(s).
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step for extending the longitudinal dimension of each of said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode includes making said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode becoming bent strip-like electrodes.
 16. The method of claim 13, wherein widening said strip-like operational electrode and said strip-like counterpart electrode so as to serially connect said resistor to said resistor R_(s).
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein said resistor is serially connected to said strip-like operational electrode. 